Missouri Neighbors

Bill and Reta Wehmeier, of rural Phelps County, have found ways to blend old-fashioned farm family traditions with modern marketing practices to produce a successful 21st Century operation. They are the proud owners of a historic Angus herd. “That's a herd that's been going for more than 50 years, according to the American Angus Association,” Bill explained recently on his farm outside St. James, Mo.

Waynesville High School senior Justen Leifer has aspirations of becoming a veterinarian, but before he gets there, he has found becoming a farrier to be a job in the field of agriculture which will, in part, help to prepare him in the arena of horse health.

For Jim and Judy Protiva, of West Plains, Mo., pastured poultry has been part of their lives for almost 20 years. “We took our maiden voyage with chickens in 1996,” recalled Jim. “From there we continued to grow, adapt and raise chickens and turkeys for individual sale and consumption.”

The Brooks family owns a farm in Webster County near Marshfield, Mo. They also own and operate Brooks Gas Company.

Spend any amount of time raising cattle and eventually most people will end up with a bottle calf. It’s a typical occurrence. The cow, maybe a first-calf heifer, doesn’t accept the newborn or maybe she isn’t giving enough milk.

On the picturesque 10-acre Holaday Farm near Springfield, Mo., in Greene County, Barbara Holaday raises Boer goats.